Unhealthy Enrichment: When “Fun” Activities Do More Harm Than Good

Not all dog enrichment is healthy — even if your dog looks like they’re having the time of their life. Activities like chasing birds, obsessive fetch, barking by the fence, or herding other dogs at the park might seem harmless, but they can actually increase frustration, stress, and unwanted behaviours over time.

⚠️ Why These Activities Aren’t Healthy

1. Chasing birds or wildlife
This taps into your dog’s prey drive in a way that’s impossible to satisfy. Each time your dog chases and never “catches,” their arousal and frustration build. Over time, this can lead to obsessive patterns and reactivity toward movement — bikes, runners, or even other dogs.

2. Obsessive fetch
Fetch is great in moderation, but constant repetition can push your dog into over-arousal. Some dogs become fixated on the ball, unable to rest or think clearly once it’s out. Instead of helping them unwind, fetch can turn into a stress cycle of adrenaline and obsession.

3. Barking by the fence
This isn’t “guard duty” — it’s self-reinforcing stress behaviour. Every time your dog barks and the person or dog leaves, they feel like the barking “worked.” Over time, this strengthens territorial behaviour and increases reactivity toward passersby.

4. Herding other dogs at the park
While herding breeds are naturally driven to control movement, letting them practice this behaviour on unfamiliar dogs can create conflict and frustration. It doesn’t satisfy their instincts — it just builds arousal and can lead to social tension or even fights.

✅ What to Do Instead

If your dog thrives on movement and mental challenge, you can redirect those instincts into healthy enrichment that truly meets their needs:

• Interactive feeding toys like rolling puzzles or wobblers satisfy hunting instincts safely.
• Puzzle toys for dogs encourage problem-solving and calm focus rather than frantic movement.
• Treat toys for dogs, like LickiMats or KONGs, teach patience and help regulate emotions.
• Structured play and training – Use short fetch sessions, impulse control games, or nosework to balance excitement with calm.

💡 The Goal of True Enrichment

Healthy enrichment helps dogs feel calmer, more confident, and fulfilled, not just tired. It should build your dog’s ability to relax, think, and recover — not push them into overdrive.

If your dog loves intense activities, that’s okay! With the right balance of puzzle play, sniffing, training, and rest, you can turn their natural instincts into healthy, rewarding outlets.